Low Man on the totem pole

Low Man on the totem pole : Phrases

Meaning:

The lowest-ranking, least important person in a group or organization.

Example:

Have you ever heard of a woman on the totem pole

Origin:

Some Native American groups carve symbols, one on top of the other, into tall poles of wood. The symbols, called totems, are often human faces or figures, and the pole is called a totem pole. Although lowest means least in phrases like lowest pay and lowest score, the lowest face on the totem pole is not the least important. The person who created this idiom must have thought so by mistake... few people realize the error when they use this popular saying.